Daniil Donchenko continues to look like one of the UFC’s most promising young welterweights.
The Ultimate Fighter 33 winner delivered another impressive performance at UFC Baku, breaking down promotional newcomer Theodor Berggren before finishing him with a devastating second-round stoppage.
From the opening bell, Donchenko dictated the pace of the fight. The Ukrainian repeatedly punished Berggren’s lead leg with crushing kicks while mixing in sharp body shots and combinations upstairs. Every time “Simba” attempted to press forward or clinch, he was met with another barrage of strikes from the aggressive 24-year-old.
The damage quickly began to add up as Donchenko’s relentless attack had Berggren visibly slowing down by the end of the first round, with several leg kicks nearly buckling the Swede’s base.
After spending nearly an entire round attacking the body and legs, Donchenko suddenly changed levels and went upstairs with a head kick. “Simba” never saw it coming. The kick landed flush and sent the newcomer crashing to the canvas. Donchenko immediately pounced, unleashing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to intervene at the 1:35 mark of Round 2.
The win extends Daniil Donchenko’s surge to eight straight victories and moves the Ukrainian to 3-0 under the UFC banner and 14-2 overall. Since earning his contract with a knockout of Rodrigo Sezinando in TUF 33 finale, the rising welterweight has also picked up victories over Alex Morono and Matt Dixon.
